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July 28—A Roscoe woman has sued members of the Donora police department, claiming she was arrested even though they knew she was not the suspect being sought.

The suit, filed in U.S. District Court in Pittsburgh, names police Superintendent Jim Brice and Officer Robert Dorcon. Attorney Dennis Popojas of Washington, Pa., filed the complaint on behalf of Kerri Hoover.

The suit claims that at 9:15 a.m. Feb. 20, 2014, Hoover was driving in the 100 block of Highland Avenue in Donora when Dorcon stopped her vehicle. Dorcon allegedly told Hoover he had a warrant for her arrest.

The warrant, which was attached to the suit, indicates the suspect being sought was a 39-year-old man named Kerry Hoover. Kerri Hoover told Dorcon she had an uncle and cousin with that name, and the warrant was most likely for one of them, the suit claims.

Kerri Hoover told Dorcon she did not have a criminal arrest, which the officer indicated, “I know,” the suit claims.

The suit claims that while Hoover was in custody, Dorcon and Brice should have known she was not the suspect being sought because she did not fit his description.

She was released to her father, Gary Hoover, 1 1/2 hours after her arrest, the suit claims.

She filed notice of her intent to sue on Aug. 4, 2014. The suit claims the police department canceled a field trip in which she was “an active participant and organizer” because she had served notice that she intended to sue. The suit does not further elaborate on the field trip.

Donora Solicitor Justin Walsh said Monday he had not yet seen a copy of the suit and could not comment.

Chris Buckley is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at [email protected] or 724-684-2642.